Why Does Salon Always Miss The Point About Privilege?

Salon decided that their March 19, 2015 article, entitled America’s pointless Gwyneth Paltrow wars: Why hating the star for her ridiculous privilege actually misses the point was so good, they decided to post it to their Facebook page1 again. In it,the author (Jenny Kutner) reveals the kind of privilege that never gets checked. More on that in a minute.

First, let’s break down the article. Reader’s Digest version: Gwyneth Paltrow is super-rich and super-successful. Her family is rich. She’s been married to a rich and famous guy. She has a business that sells expensive things to rich people. She doesn’t use her riches on things, or in ways, or in amounts, that Ms. Kutner deems to be appropriate. Therefore, she is privileged. So privileged that it sounds like Ms. Kutner would poo-poo if someone saved Gwyneth from a burning car. All sane people hate her for her richy-privilege. The worst of it? Gwyneth, apparently, refuses to confess her richy-privileged sins and throw herself on the altar in the temple of the socially just. So Ms. Kutner wisely counsels us:

Maybe we just leave her to hang out with her uterus-steamer in her goopy privileged bubble, and focus instead on all the women who can’t think about fancy face oil while they’re trying to make ends meet.

First, a few disclaimers:

I don’t usually read Salon articles. The only reason I do is when someone sends me one, or posts one in a response to an article of mine, or it’s the only thing that the search engine can dredge up in relation to what I’m looking for…or my editor says: ‘hey you should do a rebuttal on this Salon article!’ Guess which one applies to this situation. I just don’t like the publishing. People can read what they want, I’m not judging. But, for me, reading Salon when there is absolutely anything else to do is a poorer prioritization of my available time than watching YouTube videos about cats while my house is on fire.

I don’t really care much about Gwyneth Paltrow. Or any actors, or (what passes these days for) singers for that matter. Actually, hearing that Gwynn (I think she would be okay with me calling her that) is selling expensive things to rich people makes me respect her a little more. It’s always been a dream of mine to sell expensive things to rich people. So, hats off to you Gwynn!

Now back to Ms. Kutner’s privilege. Now let me make it clear from the start: I don’t begrudge Salon or Jenny Kutner any of their privilege. I really don’t. I just tire of these people, who by the rest of the world’s standard are elites, when they complain about someone who’s just a little more elitist than they are. As I read this article I thought to myself: ‘I wonder if Jenny Kutner has any idea what not-privileged looks like?’ She’s writing an article for a publication whose advertisements suggest I should be able to watch my premium sports package…on my smartphone…anytime I want. Jenny Kutner, herself, is an assistant editor for Salon (which I can’t image pays minimum wage). She mentions “important” issues that Gwyneth Paltrow could take up to appease the SJW gods: advocating for women’s rights and wage equality (still not a real thing).

Now, you may ask: “Wait a minute! Why the quotations around important?! Aren’t those important issues?!” Sure they are…to us. If you asked a child from sub-Saharan Africa if women’s rights and wage equality mattered to them, they wouldn’t have a clue what you were talking about (and would probably mostly be admiring your wonderful shoes). Ms. Kutner chastises Paltrow for selling $500 dresses. Imagine explaining to an Afghan boy who doesn’t know if his family will survive a drought how she’s wrong for having $500 dresses, when you’re restricted to buying $50 dresses! Better yet, try explaining to him how you spent more than $50 on transportation last month. You’ll blow his mind!

Another thing that is a dead giveaway of privilege is despising people because they’re successful. Ms. Kutner looks down on Gwyneth Paltrow just because she’s rich. You can read it in her words. You know someone who despises the rich didn’t spend much time as a kid imagining they were rich themselves (mostly to take their mind off the empty belly they were going to sleep with). What used to be the American dream is now considered social blight, to be scoffed. Another thing that is a dead giveaway of privilege is despising people because they’re successful.

I mentioned in the title of this article that Salon misses the point about privilege. What is the point then? The point is if you have time to pontificate for several hundred words about it you have it. And it’s not something bad. I’m glad my kids will have the privilege of never knowing what it’s like to feel guilty for asking for more to eat. Or the privilege of always having shoes the right size. Or of not having to ‘camp’ for four months because your family couldn’t afford rent. I don’t despise these experiences. They make me the man I am today. But I also know even with those experiences, I still have privilege. I get impatient at the microwave…and the internet…and the A/C in my truck.

All I’m asking is: can’t we have a little humility and no more articles that prove how out-of-touch editors at Salon are with reality?

Written by

Anarchist because I'm Christian. I have an awesome family, I love to spend time outdoors and read. I'm often involved in community charities. I have one-third of a B.S. in history and economics--never let school get in the way of your education.

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